Preview: No Tape, No Mess, Receptacle Paint Shield
By Benjamen Johnson
We’re not sure how this one slipped by us, but in March 2009, Ideal sent out a press release detailing their new Mess-X Paint Shields. The idea is simple: when painting, instead of taping off outlets and switches, you remove the cover plates and simply “snap” their paint shield over any exposed outlets and switches. When you’re done painting, remove the shields to reveal pristine outlets and switches.
Ideal will manufacture the paint shields for both duplex outlets and single switches. The paint shields can work side-by-side to cover multiple gang boxes, and you can mix and max outlet and switch shields to protect just about any configuration. They’ll work with either standard or Decora-style outlets and swtiches and most GFCIs.
The washable and reusable Mess-X Paint Shields will be available in packs of ten or a hundred. A thorough web search failed to find any retailers selling the Mess-X yet — we only found other sites that beat us to the punch — and a quick call to their 800 number confirmed they aren’t available for sale yet.
Mess-X Shields [Ideal]
Press Release [Ideal]
June 17th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Why not just paint over it while avoiding the actual switch?, it’s going to covered and would be much cheaper, and if you’re worried about drips getting in the switch just cover it with a bit of masking tape.
June 17th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
What a waste, they need to cover the hole before the drywall guys get done filling them with mud, you have to chiesel that our and not nick the wires.
June 18th, 2009 at 1:12 am
In my experience, those who get paint on the switches are the ones who are too damn lazy to remove the plate in the first place, and going to a store to get covers is completely out of the question. I agree with Kieran. Once the plate is removed, painting around it is plenty easy for even the most uncoordinated painter. At worst I have a roll of 2″ masking tape that covers them very easily and serves many other purposes as well.
June 18th, 2009 at 5:23 am
If you can’t paint around a switch/outlet with the plate off . . ..
June 18th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Note that the paint pattern in the photo can’t possibly have been created by actually using the Paint Shield, at least not in one coat…